Antipollution drinking fountain



April 28, 1942.

F. ZUGELTER ANTIPOLLUTION DRINKiNG FOUNTAIN Filed May 19, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet 1 April 28, 1942. F. ZUGELTER ANTIPOLLUTION DRINKINGFOUNTAIN 2 sheets sheet 2 Filed May 19, 1939 9 u 2 4 I 7 8 LI 1 M w V kp I I fi i I i I m I 1 1 fi/ 46/ 5 A 2 v I 5 z m n u I 4 .5 1\\\\\\\\ 5/r 1 EVE/ INVENTOR Patented Apr. 28, 1942 AN TIPOLLUTION DRINKINGFOUNTAIN Frank Zugelter, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The MurdockManufacturing and Supply Qompany, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of h1oApplication May 19, 1989, Serial No. 274,603

2 Claims.

This invention relates to the so-called antifreeze, anti-pollutiondrinking fountains and more particularly to improvements upon theinvention disclosed in the Bart et al. patent application, Serial No.262,926, filed March 20, 1939, and Murdock et al. patent applicationSerial No. 245,438, filed December 13, 1938.

Said Bart et al. application explains a remote possibility ofdissipation of the safe drinking water column or compensating column offresh water in structures such as exemplified in said. Murdock et a1.application, and in order to minimize said remote possibility, said Bartet al. application discloses the use of a check valve in the fresh watersupply line to sustain such compensating column during periods of timeor coexistence of conditions in the fresh water supply line and in thedrain or sewer connections, when such dissipation might occur in thesaid Murdock et a1. disclosure.

An object of the instant invention is to further minimize thepossibility of such dissipation.

Another object is to provide means that may be employed in conjunctionwith or as an alternative to the indicated check valve in said Bart etal. application.

The instant invent-ion is concerned with means adapted to protect thecontents of the fresh water reservoir of said Bart et al. and Murdock etal. disclosures by preventing the formation of a. protecting fresh watercolumn about and around the main fresh water control valve, thusprecluding flow of such protective fresh water supply, back into thefresh water supply line, under any conditions to which a fixture of thetype under consideration, might be exposed or subjected.

Thus an object of the present invention is to provide means supplementalto those disclosed in the aforesaid copending applications, wherebythere is obviated any possibility of a cross connection beingestablished between the sewer main and the fresh water supply line.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple and effectivemeans for attaining the indicated objectives.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic plan view of a typical drinking fountainassembly, parts thereof being broken away and parts being enlargedrelative to other parts thereof and disclosing various features of theinvention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional View of parts pipe 31.

shown in Fig. l and forming details of the invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a modification forming adetail of the invention.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View showing another modificationforming a detail of the invention.

In connection with the instant disclosure, it is to be understood thatthe structures disclosed in said copending applications have been testedto determine that they are absolutely effective and unfailing underconditions of flow of sewage under high pressure, from sewer connection34, as shown herein, to drain and vent connection or Particularly isthat true as concerns said Bart et al. application.

The instant invention is concerned essentially with relatively longcontinued, low pressure backing up of waste water int-o the pipes anddrain connections such as 34, 33, 31, 32, 3| and 30 and air chamber 29,as shown herein. Under such conditions, coincident with an absence ofwater under pressure in the fresh water supply line, particularly in astructure as shown in said Murdock et al. application, the fresh watercompensating column extending, above the main water valve, can gravitateinto the fresh water supply pipe upon manual operation of the foot leverfor unseating the main water supply control valve. Repeated operationsof the foot lever under such conditions would exhaust the fresh water inthe fresh water reservoir and contaminated water would then replace thefresh Water in the fresh water reservoir. The possibility of suchdissipation of the Water in the fresh water column is substantiallyprecluded by the structure disclosed in said Bart et al. application.

Referring to the drawings herein, a suitable source of safe water supplyH is connected through stopcock l3 and a suitable conduit [2 to asuitable fitting l5, which comprises the intake end of a water supplynozzle or main water supply valve member l6.

A check valve l9 may be provided in water line 15, I6 as shown andexpained in said Bart et a1. application.

Use of a check valve such as I 9 is optional and if used same functionsas a supplemental or as an alternative safety factor in connection withthe instant invention. The valve l9 serves to prevent return fiow offluid to pipe I2, but permits flow of water under pressure to valve ll,I8.

The upper end ll of the water supply nozzle or pipe member [6 extendsupwardly into the relatively fixed housing or casing I89 and serves as avalve seat for which the main valve I8 is provided. Valve 18 isconnected with a vertically reciprocable actuating casing or pipe 2|which is adapted to be raised and lowered by means of a suitable footpedal 22 associated with pedestal 23, in the manner explained in thesaid Murdock .et al. and Bart et al. applications, and in such patentsas Murdock 164,864, 1,146,946 and 1,419,292. A suitable fresh watersupply line pipe 24 is provided interiorly of casing 2! for deliveringwater to nozzle I95 when foot pedal 22 is operated to unseat valve is.

The lower end of the actuating casing 2| is provided with suitablepacking means, as indicated at 23, whereby to provide a leak-proof sealwith the outer surface of main water supply valve member 16. A suitableby-pass 25 including a channel or way 26 formed in the main water supplyvalve member H3 is provided to facilitate drainage of the contents offreshwater supply line or pipe 24 during those periods of time whenvalve 18 is seated upon valve seat IT. The upper port A of channel 26 isblocked off or closed by packing 2i) when foot pedal fZ is actuated toraise casing 21 and unseat valve l8 whereby the fresh water from themain water supply nozzle 16 is delivered through pipe M to dischargenozzle Hit.

The lower port B of channel 26 is connected by means of a suitableconduit or drain pipe 2T, 21% with a fresh water reservoir 28 which isdisposed, as shown, within air chamber 29, the upper wall of whichcomprises a suitable diaphragm 3t. Fluid discharged into air chamber 29is adapted to drain out therefrom through a suitable nipple or coupling3%, elbow'3l, and arm 32, of an ejector fitting 33into a suitable sewer(not shown), via pipe34.

The parts hereinabove referred to correspond in operation and functionwith the disclosures made in the said copending applications of Murdocket al. and Bart et al.

As disclosed in the Bart et al. application, Serial No. 262,926, filedMarch 20, 1939, a low pressure relief tube 44, which corresponds to andfunctions asdoes tube 3d in said copending application, is provided.

In the form of the invention embodied in Fig. 2 hereof, means areprovided in or in association with the drain tubeil, for sealing tube2'5 against return of water from the fresh water reservoirZB to thespace about and above the main valve il, l8. Said means comprises ahousing i3! having therein a chamber 59. The housing is interposedbetween the adjacent ends of the tube 2?, tilt. A floating valve ball 54of suitable material is provided interiorly of chamber 55. The ballvalve is adapted to seatlagainst end 55 of conduit 27 when lifted to theposition indicated by 54, by reason of a column of fresh water'enteringsaid housing from reservoir 28 through the lower tube or conduit section210.

Under normal conditions, ball 5 is disposed in the lower portion ofhousing 59, as shown, whereby drainage of fresh water supply pipe 2 mayoccur. Preferably means such as grid 55 is provided in the lower portionof chamber Eli to prevent valve 54 from closing or sealing the upperend5'l of the lower conduit section 213.

In the event that the sewer system should become plugged or cloggedunderconditions such that sewage, rising in pipe 34, would rise in the ventedfountain bowl drain pipe 31, a compensating column of pure water'fromreservoir 23 would be forced upwardly in tube 219 and chamber at.

If the rise of the fresh water column in tube 210 and chamber issuflicient to float the valve 54 into sealing position at the lower endof tube 21, the air seal and water seal provided by the parts underconsideration, preclude any further rise of sewage in chamber 29 as wellas any rise of fresh water from the reservoir 28 to the main valve ll,I8. Consequently, opening and closing of the main valve ll, I8,regardless of the condition existent in the main water supply line i I,I2, will not cause dissipation of the supply of fresh water in thereservoir. Thus the fixture is protected against entry of anycontaminated matter into the reservoir 28.

The vent pipe 3'! provides a means for limiting the pressure or weightof the water column operative on the valve 54.

Fig. 3 discloses a modified form of means for limiting the height of afresh water compensating column in tube 27, m. The means disclosedhereincomprises an outer shell or chamber 60 in which a float Si ishoused. Such a float may comprise a hollow metallic shell or it maycomprise a solid piece of suitable buoyantsubstance such as cork, balsawood or the like. If cork .or the like is used, it may be waterprocfed,for example with a paraffin coating. Such a float is adapted forvertical movement within casing 60, and in order to prevent the loweredge of said float from sealing or closing the upper end 51 of the lowersection of conduit 2T0, suitable upstanding legs, such as 63, may beprovided as shown.

A well or recess iii, is provided in the upper surface of float iii,said well or recess being adapted to receive the lower end of tubeZl.Float 6|, under normal conditions, is disposed upon legs 63 and waterdraining from fresh water supply pipe 24 is discharged from end 55 ofconduit 21 onto the upper surface of float M, whereby the well or recess54 will always contain a quantity of pure water. This water acts as atrap seal when float 6i has been elevated by reason of chamber 69 beingfilled with pure water from water reservoir it during periods whereinback water is present in chamber 25 as previously explained. Asufficient quantity of air may be trapped in the upper portion of casingto effectively prevent a sustaining water column being formed in theupper portion of conduit 21,210.

It should be understood that conduit 21, 210 makes an air and fluidtight seal with the top and bottom walls 66 and B1 of casing 60, andwith diaphragm 35. Such a seal may be accomplished by any suitablemeans, such as solder or the like.

Fig. 4 discloses generally similar means for preventing the return ofwater from reservoir 28for forming a fresh water compensating columnwithin conduit 21. A gravity seated check ball 12 of suitablenon-corroding material such as bronze or the like, is adapted tocooperate witha suitable valve seat 73, which may be provided at orabout the end of conduit 21 as shown. Conduit 21 will normally be emptyof water except for a column the weight of which equals the weight ofsaid check ball. Any fluid pressure established within chamber 28 isprecluded from being transmitted through conduit 21 by reason of theseal formed by ball 12 on its seat. It should be understood that themeans just described is housed within fresh water reservoir 28, belowdiaphragm 35, as shown. A suitable housing, basket or guard 14 isprovided to prevent-displacement of valve ball 12 to assure intendedcooperation thereof with its seat. It should -rbe further understood,that the proportions shown in Fig. 4, are greatly exaggerated forclarity of detail, since in the preferred embodiment of the meansdisclosed in Fig. 4, leg 15 is as short as possible, whereby the open ordischarge end of conduit 21 will be as close to bottom H of reservoir28, as practicable. The basket 14 may have ports 140 near its lower endand a suitable pin MI at its upper end. The pin precludes displacementof valve 12.

Each of the means hereinabove disclosed will prevent or limit the heightto which a column of fresh water from reservoir 28 may rise withinconduit 21, 210 under any condition wherein there is back Water underlow pressure in the sewer system, to such extent as to enter the airchamber 29. The drain 3! is adapted to vent to the atmosphere at orabout ground level as shown by means of the overflow pipe or branch pipe310.

It should be understood that bowl 38 may be drained by means of aseparate drain 31, which may have a drain box or vent interposedintermediate its length, at approximately ground level, such as drainbox 39, disclosed and fully detailed in said Bart et a1. application.

The terms fresh water and pure water, as used herein, are synonymous andrefer to Water supplied to the device via supply pipe l2. Such water ispure or fresh, for the purpose of the present application, until it isejected from nozzle I90 or if not so ejected, until it has passed overthe overflow wall of the reservoir 28.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided secondary meansintermediate the length of the pure water conduit 21, 210 foreffectively limiting the quantity of water which may be displaced frompure water reservoir 28 regardless of pressure conditions in air sealchamber 29. The air cell 29, water reservoir 28 and conduit or drainpassage providing means; viz., 26, 21 and 210, constitute a primarysealing means for preventing flow of sewage to the valve chamber 25. Itis to be understood that the cubic volume of reservoir 28 exceeds thecubic volume of the tubes, pipes and chambers 24, 25, 26, 21, 50, and210, and that the cubic content of air cell 29 in turn exceeds the cubiccontent of the reservoir 28, all as explained in said copendingapplications.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the class described for controlling flow of potable waterand using potable water for preventing contamination of such flow ofpotable water, comprising a water supply nozzle, a chambered valvecarrying supply line for receiving water at its lower end from saidnozzle and for discharging water at its upper end at an elevation aboveground level, and comprising a valve for cooperation with said nozzlefor controlling flo'w of water from said nozzle to the upper end of saidwater supply line, means for actuating said valve to open and closedpositions, means for draining the chamber and Water supply line when thevalve is closed and comprising a conduit connected with said chamber, anair chamber sealed at its top and having its lower end in communicationwith a sewer, a water trap wholly disposed within said air chamber, saidconduit terminating interiorly of and adjacent the lower portion of saidwater trap, said water trap having an overflow wall connecting the trapwith the air chamber at the top of the air chamber whereby to prevent arelatively low level of water in the air chamber from flowing from saidair chamber into said water trap, and means disposed intermediate thelength of said conduit for limiting the quantity of water displaced fromsaid water trap into said conduit incident to back sewage operative uponthe air cell and thereby creating a pressure condition within the celland tending to force water in the trap to a higher elevation in saidconduit, whereby sewage is precluded from overflowing the air cell andfrom rising through the trap and conduit to elevations above the watersupply nozzle and valve and thereby contaminate any water intended fordischarge by the water supply line at an elevation above ground level.

2. A device of the class described comprising a water supply nozzle, 9,chambered valve carrying supply line for receiving water at its lowerend from said nozzle and for discharging water at its upper end at anelevation above ground level, and comprising a valve for cooperationwith said nozzle for controlling flow of water from said nozzle to theupper end of said water supply line, means for actuating said valve toopen and closed positions, means for draining the chamber and watersupply line when the valve is closed and comprising a conduit connectedwith said chamber, a water trap in said conduit having an overflow walland means for providing an air pocket adjoining said trap havingconnection at its top with the overflow wall for escape of fluid oversaid overflow wall through said air pocket, means communicating withsaid air pocket at the lower portion thereof for relieving tendencytoward low pressure conditions, and means disposed in said conduitbetween said trap and said chamber for sealing said conduit againstreturn passage of water from said water trap to said chamber and watersupply line, whereby any tendency of waste fluids to pass in reversedirection of normal flow of fluid from said valve chamber through saidconduit is checked so as to protect said valve chamber againstcontamination from waste material.

FRANK ZUGELTER.

